Fulfilling his request, I write of the passing of MR. ROBERT
CARL SHAFER, age 59, on January 19th, 1994.
Carl was born September 6, 1934 in Walton, West Virginia, and
was a lifelong resident of Roane County. He is survived by his son,
Robert Allen Shafer, and his daughter, Mary Lisa Shafer Edens.
I will remember Carl as a source of knowledge on gas engine
restoration for newcomers in the hobby, such as myself. Carl always
liked to help expand the hobby to new collectors by offering
advice, trouble-shooting hard starting engines, or selling them
their first engine. He was always a fair dealer, and a man of good
word. One knew there were no hidden surprises awaiting the
purchaser.
Some of Carl’s favorite shows were Mid-Ohio Valley Steam and
Antique Power, Barlow Ohio; West Virginia Oil and Gas Festival,
Sistersville, West Virginia; Wood County Flywheelers Association,
Parkersburg, West Virginia; and the West Virginia State Park
Museum, Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
Registration at these shows was always under the name of a
two-family association, ‘The Johnson Preek Hucksters.’
With his health declining he exhibited his smaller engines, yet
still enjoyed sharing information and stories with people of all
ages.
In his last few months, we talked about the end of life and
eternal rewards. When told time did not matter, only acceptance, he
shared with me his readiness to meet his maker. Today he is in
Paradise.
I will always cherish your friendship Carl, time will not fade
the memories. Thank you for making this request; it is an honor to
write it. Farewell friend.
Submitted by Craig L. Blakeman, Rt. 5, Box339-A, Charleston,
West Virginia and by Mark Sergent, 914 Johnson Ck. Road, Walton,
West Virginia.
FLOYD E. WRIGHT was born in Nuckolls Ct., Nebraska, August 17,
1909 and passed from this world on December 20, 1993 at his farm
home in Bird City, Kansas. He moved with his family to Bird City in
1916, where he was baptized in the Methodist Church, attended
school and graduated in the class of 1929. Floyd married his
classmate, Norma Schields, on December 8, 1940. They adopted a son,
Gaylord, in August of 1947. Floyd and Norma enjoyed 53 years of
love and happiness. He was a devoted husband and father.
Floyd was actively involved in the Methodist Church, Community
Club, the high school Booster Club and the Tri-State Antique Engine
and Thresher Show of Bird City. Both Floyd and Norma were honored
as Boosters of the Year in 1985, for their outstanding and
dedicated service.
Floyd particularly enjoyed the 1993 steam engine show with his
grandson, Clayton Janicke at his side. He was not to be denied
harvest-time. Even when he could do little else, he climbed the
steps of his combine and sat all day going back and forth
harvesting the fruits of his labor. Floyd was honored in the March
1993 issue of National Geographic. He was pictured in the
‘center of his sunflower field’ wearing a big smile and his
official bright orange hat, the hat as bright as his
sunflowers.
Floyd and Norma lost their son in May 1973, and their grandson
Kevin in November of 1983. Floyd is dearly missed by his loving
wife and friend; a granddaughter Lori and her husband Clayton
Janicke; his daughter-in-law Nancy Semler; two brothers and a
sister; as well as a town full of friends.
Final Harvest
He was bound to the land from the day of his birth,
His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth.
Nurtured, sustained, by the soil he grew,
And his life, like his furrows, ran straight and true.
In faith, each spring, he planted the seeds,
In hope, to reap for his family’s needs.
With patience, he waited for the harvest to come,
To gather the fruits of his labor home.
Ever turning seasons, the years sped past,
Till the final harvest came at last.
Then claimed anew by beloved sod,
He was gathered home to be with God.
Barbara Weber
Submitted by all his friends of the Tri State Antique Engine and
Threshers Association, Bird City, Kansas 67731.
WILBUR ‘JOE’ ENTRIKIN, 63, of Leetonia, Ohio, passed
away on March 15, 1994. He was born April 23, 1930, in Franklin
Square, Ohio. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict and
was an active member of the Leetonia Sportsman Club. He loved to
fish, hunt, and camp as well as collect gas engines and
tractors.
Joe had worked for 32 years for National Refractories and
Minerals Company as an oiler in the maintenance department and also
as an inspector of the machinery. He is survived by his wife,
Susan, to whom he had been married for 37 years, and two daughters,
Carol and Jo Ann.
He was very proud to display his collection of gas engines,
which he restored himself. He had also been working weekends with
his friends who were fellow collectors, attending engine shows in
Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia which they all enjoyed very
much.
Joe displayed his engines every year at the Leetonia Artisans
Festival and was always happy to answer questions anyone had about
gas engines.
He is missed greatly by his family, friends, and fellow
collectors but he will live on in the hearts of those who loved
him.
Submitted by his daughter, Jo Ann Entrikin, Leetonia, Ohio
44431.
JAMES A. ‘JIM’ NEW of rural Pendleton, Indiana, died
March 18, 1994 after an extended illness. He was born February 24,
1959 and was a lifelong Pendleton resident. He was a licensed steam
engineer and gunsmith. He was a graduate of Pendleton Heights High
School and also a graduate from Ivy Technical College. He was a
member of First United Methodist Church, Pendleton; Sons of AMVETS
Post #26, Pendleton; Pioneer Engineers Club; Tri State Gas Engine
and Tractor Association; Mid-America Threshing Club; Rumely
Collector’s Association; International Harvester
Collector’s Association; J. I. Case Collector’s
Association; International J. I. Case Heritage Foundation; National
Rifle Association; and National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.
He was an avid long time collector of steam engines, tractors, and
gas engines. He, with his brother Alan, his dad Al, and his nephew
Andy worked together restoring and showing engines. Jim had a 12 HP
Advance traction engine, and 18-32 HP Case crossmotor tractor, and
others.
Survivors include his wife Angela New; two girls, Rachelle and
Kareana; parents Al and Janet New; brother and sister-in-law Alan
and Martha New; their children Andy and Betsy; several aunts,
uncles, and cousins. At the graveside Russell Merrell’s Advance
engine was fired up and a parting whistle was blown for Jim. He is
greatly missed. We love him and need him, but have his dear memory.
Thanks, Jim!
Submitted by his brother, Alan New, 5389 W. 900 South,
Pendleton, Indiana 46064.
GEORGE E. DAMMEIER died February 6, 1994 at the age of 77.
He was born May 26, 1916 to Charles and Hilma Dammeier on the
rural Newton, Iowa, farm where he resided until his death.
A lifelong farmer, Mr. Dammeier also enjoyed a reputation as an
excellent mechanic in a career that spanned six decades.
Even though he was in failing health, he was often called upon
for his advice and help, by people who were restoring old McCormick
Deering and Farmall tractors.
He was a member of the Mid Iowa Antique Power Association at
Mashall-town, Iowa.
His prized possessions in his later years were a Model M 1 HP
McCormick Deering gas engine, a very nicely restored 1915 Dodge
Touring Car, and his Century Farm with its 1900s era house and
barns still standing in very good condition.
Submitted by John & Marilyn Willem sen, Reasnor, Iowa, and
Bruce and Ann Dunlap, Iowa City, Iowa.
NORMAN (BUTCH) FLAGG, 53, of Bernardston, Massachusetts, passed
away on March 4, 1994. He was born June 9, 1940 in Bernardston and
was a lifetime resident of the town.
He is survived by three daughters and six grandchildren, four
brothers and three sisters.
He had and restored gas engines, a 1935 Chevrolet truck, and a
1943 John Deere H tractor. At the Bernardston, Massachusetts,
engine shows, he supplied the water to the exhibitors for their
engines. He was a member of the United Church of Bernardston, which
sponsors the engine show there.
Butch was a member of the Bernardston Fire Department, Maple
Products Association, the Central Massachusetts Gas and Steam
Engine Association, the Green Mountain Flywheelers, the Yankee
Motor Club, and the GMC Chevy Truck Association.
He attended many engine shows over the past years and will be
greatly missed by his family, his friends, and associates who
attend the shows.
Submitted by Douglas Flagg, Turners Falls Road, Bernardston,
Massachusetts 01337.
LOUIS ALLIS, 78, of Scottsdale, Arizona, died Saturday, March
26, in Scottsdale of complications from a stroke.
He started working for the Louis Allis Company in the 1940s. His
father, Louis Allis, Sr., invested in a Milwaukee electric motor
company in 1901, naming it the Louis Allis Company in 1922. It is
now known as Louis Allis, Division of Magnetek Inc., 427 E. Stewart
St.
The younger Allis was vice president in charge of sales and a
director of the company in the 1950s before he moved to Texas,
where he owned a cattle ranch, said his brother, Robert T. Allis,
of Denver, Colorado.
Allis served in the U.S. Army during World War II and spent two
years as chief of the electric motor unit of the War Production
Board.
Allis was Wisconsin’s Secretary of State for 18 days in
December 1954. He was appointed by Lt. Gov. George M. Smith, who
was acting governor in the absence of Gov. Walter J. Kohler.
But Allis’ appointment caused a furor when it was learned he
had donated $300 to Smith’s renomination fund. Allis quickly
announced his resignation.
Survivors include three brothers.
Submitted by Jake Schmidt, 2986 Ridge Road, West Bend, Wisconsin
53095.
